Solo Effort to Continue

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28660, 9 August 1958, Page 7

Solo Effort to Continue

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) DUBLIN, August 8. Murray Halberg intends to continue his solo battle against world-class athletes—and a dwindling bank balance—before returning to New Zealand in October. His win in the invitation four miles last night was his fourth impressive victory in six finals since he reached England on July 11. Including heats, Halberg has competed in seven one-mile races since then. After winning the Emsley Carr invitation mile and the match mile in the BritainCommonwealth meeting at White City last Saturday and Monday, Halberg's time avas 3min 57.55ec when he finished fourth in the greatest mile ever run on Wednesday night at Santry. Halberg said today: “I feel I’ve got my mile time down to where it ought to be. I recovered quickly after the mile on Wednesday night. The only reason I did not do a better time was that I could not Fun fast enough—sounds funny, I know, but I had the strength but not the pace. I am now going to try 'the longer distance though I shall mix them up and run in a range between 800 metres and 10,000 metres, with the 5000 metres the chief target. "I have got my 13min 15sec for the three miles (in the Empire Games) and my 3m in 57.55ec for the mile. They must-combine for a fast two miles. One thing I will predict —no-one will, better Elliott’s time in the mile for a long, long time.” Halberg, like Elliott and Thomas, has built up his speed with repetition 220 yards runs during training in England. Halberg will leave London on Monday for Sweden to watch the European Games from August 19. Then he W’ill probably compete at athletic meetings in Scandinavia against European and Australian athletes on similar private tours. They include Albert Thomas and Elliott. Halberg is faced with having to pay his own fare home because he did not return with the New Zealand Empire Games team. He has no income at present. "I think I might have been allowed to have retained my return air ticket to New Zealand.” Hilberg said today. "That would have

lightened the mental load of wondering whether the cash will last put.- The Australian boys are able to travel extensively throughout Europe on their return round-the-world tickets. But not me; just be-« cause I want some experience. "I’ll be expected to turn out regularly, though, when I get home. I won’t mind. In fact I’ll love it because I love running. But it makes you think. ...”